Safety Tips for Louisiana Cooks So You Don’t Burn the House Down

The majority of house fires that happen in Louisiana start in the kitchen according to Lafayette Fire Department Spokesman and Investigator Alton Trahan. A fire sure could ruin a great Christmas.

People in Louisiana love to cook especially for the holidays. The only problem that can really mess up your day is if you aren't careful because you could end up burning the house to the ground.

If you have bought a turkey to fry it up you need to remember the basics about safety for your protection.

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Fried turkeys are delicious, but you really need to know what you are doing and if you get into trouble you need to know what to do to fix your mistakes.

In the decades that he has worked in the Lafayette Fire Department, Trahan has investigated all types of fires. He says it only takes minutes for a small flame to be the reason for losing your home in a fire.

He says fire spreads rapidly and that's why when your home is on fire you need to escape quickly as you have less the two minutes to make it to safety.

One moment of inattention or not thinking a situation through can mean the difference between a happy, joyous Christmas and one marred by tragedy.

I'm not trying to be dramatic, but I am trying to drive home the point that understanding what you're doing and how to do it can be all it takes for a successful and safe Christmas.

I've had some crazy mishaps in the kitchen so I'm writing this article for my benefit too! I have never set the house on fire, but I did set a pot on fire. Thank goodness I had a lid nearby and that I actually remembered to put that on the grease fire and not water. Water only makes a grease fire bigger.

It doesn't matter whether you are a master in the kitchen or a beginner, everyone needs to renew safety tips before cooking for Christmas so you don't burn the house down.

Christmas is almost here. Now is a great time to make sure you have a working fire extinguisher in your kitchen.

US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) November 14, 2022

Here's something to think about the National Fire Protection Association says oftentimes people will decide they are going to fry the turkey instead of cooking it in the oven.

A few practical things can prevent danger like the following:

• Don't overfill the turkey fryer with too much oil. Disaster and pain can be the result.

• Always have a fire extinguisher.

• It's a good idea to make sure your fryer is far away from anything flammable, including the porch, the garage, and your house.

• Don't try to put a fire out in a turkey with the hose. Oil and water don't mix. It can just help the fire spread.

These are just some tips to think about when frying a turkey. There are plenty of other things to think about in general for cooking for Christmas.